Issue 14

What Trees Can Do for People Who Live in Cities

Urban parks and forests may be the only “nature” that many Americans experience, especially when they are young. Appreciating urban trees and the ecosystems they shelter can be the first step towards a hike in a national forest. And there’s more to appreciate about urban trees than meets the eye:

• Trees improve air quality by removing or trapping dust, ash, and pollen as well as providing shade. One acre of trees produces enough oxygen in a day to support 18 people. Forests in Atlanta have been estimated to remove almost 10,000 tons of air pollutants a year.
• Trees clean water by slowing the flow of stormwater, which often includes sediment and pollutants washed from impervious surfaces such as roads and driveways. During a heavy rain, a healthy forest can absorb as much as 20,000 gallons of water an hour.
• Trees reduce noise in urban environments by absorbing sound.
• Urban forests provide habitat for numerous species of wildlife.
• Wooded areas near work and retail areas encourage people to walk during breaks; studies have shown that the availability of outside walking space can reduce work stress.
• Studies have found a correlation between access to community forests and physical activity. People are more likely to get out and exercise when they live near green space. Urban forests and parks are increasingly popular as places to walk, run, bike, and hike. Studies have shown that people who live near green common spaces are also more likely to interact with their neighbors.

Adapted from an online article about tree benefits by the Georgia Forestry Commission: www.gfc.state.ga.us/ CommunityForests/TreeBenefits.cfm